Rocker



Patented Nov. 24, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROCKER Charles S. Parsons, Burlington, Iowa Application January 30, 1941, Serial No. 376,704

2 Claims.

This invention relates to chairs and, more particularly, to an improved rocker.

One object of the invention is to provide a rocker having a base which is of such construction that the chair section employed will always tend to rock toward the center and will not, therefore, have a tendency to become overbalanced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rocker employing guides for preventing said rocker from becoming accidentally displaced from the base.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rocker wherein means are employed for preventing jamming of the guides.

A still further. object of the invention is to provide a device of this character, the operating principle of which may be readily adapted for use on office chairs as well as sitting room and library chairs, baby carriages, cradles, and lawn and porch swings.

And still another object of the invention is to provide a rocker which is characterized by simplicity and which will be sturdy in construction and highly efiicient in use.

Further objects of the invention, not specifically mentioned hereinbefore, will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawing forming a part of my application:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved rocker, partly shown in section,

Figure 2 is a front elevation, partly in section, and

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing the rollers employed for retaining the guides in proper operative position.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing, wherein like numerals of reference designate like parts throughout the views, the numeral I indicates in general the base of my improved rocker. The base I includes legs 2 and a substantially rectangular platform 3. Mounted on the platform, near the opposite sides thereof, are tracks 4 which tracks are formed with arcuate upper surfaces 5. Transverse bracing bars 6 and I are mounted on the upper surface of the platform 3 and extend between the tracks 4.

Associated with the base I is a chair section 8. The chair section includes a seat 9, a back I and arms II. A frame I2 is mounted beneath the seat 9 and extends throughout the major portion of the under surface thereof. Mounted sides thereof are treads I3 and I4, said treads being normally in engagement with the tracks 4 and having arcuate rocking edges I5 which cooperate with the arcuate surfaces 5 of said tracks. In order to prevent lateral displacement of the chair section from the base, I provide curved retaining flanges I6 and I! which retaining flanges are secured to the outer faces of the treads I3 and I4, respectively, and project beyond the arcuate edges thereof.

In order to prevent vertical displacement of the chair section 8 from the base I, I provide substantially U-shaped retaining elements I8 and I9. The retaining elements are formed of metal rod, or other suitable material, and have corresponding upper front and rear end portions in engagement with the frame I2. The elements I8 and I9 are, moreover, positioned in confronting relation to the treads I3 and I4 and to the tracks 4. As best seen at 20 and 2|, the front and rear edges of the platform 3 are recessed to define guide slots for the vertically extending portions of the members I8 and I9. Guide rollers 22 are rotatably mounted in the tracks 4 and project from the front and rear edges thereof into engagement with the vertically extending portions of the retaining elements I8 and I9. As best seen in Figure 1, the retaining elements extend beneath the platform 3 and have their central portions bowed upwardly for engagement with rollers 23 which are mounted in the platform. It will be understood that the rollers 22 and 23 and the slots 20 and 2| cooperate to guide the retaining elements I8 and I9 so that said retaining elements will be permitted to rock freely,

It is believed that the construction and operation of my improved rocker will be understood. However, it is desired to point out the particular features of construction embodied in my invention.

When my invention is in use, the chair section will, of course, be rocked upon the base I, in a well-known manner. However, in View of the fact that I have provided the tracks 4 with the arcuate upper surfaces 5, the treads I3 and I4 will always tend to rock toward the center of said tracks. Accordingly, there will be no tendency for the chair section to become overbalanced.

In view of the fact that I have provided the retaining flanges I6 and I1, accidental lateral displacement of the chair section 8 from the base I will be prevented. The retaining elements I8 and I9 will, of course, prevent vertical displacement of the chair section 8 from the base on the frame 1'2 and depending frgm opposite I without interfering with rocking movement 01' said chair sections on said base. As the lower portions of the elements l8 and I9 are bowed upwardly, downward rocking movement will be permitted. However, said retaining elements will prevent too great rocking movement in either direction.

As stated hereinbefore, the principle of my improved rocker may be incorporated with equal effectiveness in the construction of chairs of all types, baby carriages and cradles and in lawn and porch swings and other articles of furniture.

It is believed that the construction and operation of my improved rocker will now be clearly understood.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is:

1. A rocker including a base having a platform, rollers disposed at substantially the center of the sides of the'platform, tracks secured to the platform and provided with terminal recesses, rollers journaled' in said recesses, a chair, a frame on the chair, treads depending from the frame and engaging the tracks, and substantially U-shaped retaining rods having their intermediate portions bent up and engaging the rollers on the platform and their opposite ends extended over the rollers on the tracks and secured to the frame.

2. A rocker including a base having a platform provided at its front and rear edges with slots, tracks secured to said platform and provided with terminal recesses disposed in vertical alinement with the slots, a chair, a frame on the chair, rollers journaled in said recesses, treads secured to and depending from the frame and engaging the tracks, guide flanges secured to the treads and overlapping the tracks, and substantially U-shaped retaining rods secured to the frame and each having side portions extending through the slots in the platform and bearing against the rollers and an intermediate portion bent upwardly and engaging the lower face of the platform.

CHARLES S. PARSONS. 

